Forty Licks, a modern Vietnamese restaurant and cocktail bar has opened in a basement on York Street in Sydney’s CBD.
Located at 24 York Street Sydney, Forty Licks is inspired by the juxtaposition of the natural landscapes of Vietnam, alongside the busy and vibrant cityscape of Sydney. Head chef Joel Manton is joining forces with Sydney restaurateur Tony Mowad to showcase classic Vietnamese techniques reflecting Joel’s many years living in Hanoi and Saigon.
Joel’s menu will feature a variety of traditional Vietnamese dishes with a modern twist, in both small and larger style plates. Menu items will include braised eggplant and tofu with turmeric; sizzling kingfish and noodles in the style of Chả Cá Lã Vọng; and a steaming hot bowl of Bún bò Huế – the lesser-known but equally delicious cousin of crowd favourite Phở.
Kurtis Bosley, Sydney bartender and owner of the soon-to-open Corretto in Dee Why has created a cocktail list to complement the food offering. With over 10 years’ experience in hospitality, Kurtis has created an eclectic Vietnamese inspired cocktail list including Red Lotus with Secco Vermouth, Calvados, amaro, lemon, bitters & Bird’s Nest; and Hanoi Sour with bourbon, ginger liqueur, Chichi Morada, lemon & pecan bitters.
Utilising existing architectural elements of the heritage building, Henry Goodwin and Rob Scarfone from GSBN Studio have worked with the team at Forty Licks to create a 75-seat venue that encompasses a dining room, bar and raised seated dining areas that mimics the tiered formations of the Vietnamese rice paddies.
Forty Licks is located at 24 York Street Sydney and is now open. Take a look at some of the dishes from the opening menu:
Vietnamese pickles; daikon, radish & cucumber
Steamed choko, crushed peanut & black sesame salt
Wild WA scallop & king prawn Vietnamese clear dumplings, nước chấm dressing, crispy shallot & chives
Caramelised Kurobuta pork belly salad, galangal. curry, snake beans, green onions & fried peanuts
Hiramasa kingfish marinated in turmeric fermented rice paste & charred in bamboo leaf, bún noodles, herbs & crushed peanuts
Half BBQ Bannockburn chicken aged in Vietnamese miso & lime leaf paste, salt & pepper lime juice
Stir-fried okra, chrysanthemum greens, galangal & chilli soy dressing
Clay pot rice, lotus seed, shiitake mushrooms & lotus leaf
Little king banana, coconut milk tapioca, coconut sorbet, peanut brittle & lime leaf
Coconut sorbet with fresh fruit
Forty Licks
24 York Street, Sydney
Hours: Monday-Friday, from 11am-late
Photo Credit: Supplied
Updated 22 May 2019
